Connoisseur Media Increases Portfolio, Buys Four Long Island Stations for $23 Million

You’d have to be a radio connoisseur to be aware of Connoisseur Media in this part of the country. The Westport, Connecticut based-company owns radio stations in several markets.

Connoisseur took a big step toward enhancing its name by agreeing to purchase four of Barnstable’s Long Island stations at a price tag of $23 million. The call letters are WKJY/KJOY, WBZO-FM, WIGX-FM, and WHLI–AM.

In a release, Connoisseur CEO Jeffrey Warshaw said, “We are so excited to have the privilege of continuing the legacy of service that Barnstable has created on Long Island. These are great operations with terrific people. I was raised on Long Island and grew up listening to these stations.”

With these acquistions going through, Connoisseur would be a Top 20 market operator for the first time. At the moment, this broadcast chain has no outlets in a market larger than the 72nd.

“We are grateful to our dedicated employees [with whom] … we have achieved so many years of success on Long Island, and we are happy to be passing the torch to a committed broadcaster like Connoisseur,” said Barnstable Chairman/CEO Al Kaneb.

Barnstable cluster GM Dave Widmer will continue his role with Connoisseur Media.